Frerard - Null (Null Trilogy Part 1)

Part 12

The week dragged like no other.

I'd been allowed out of hospital after two days, but Frank had another five days. Most of those days, he wasn't allowed visitors.

I was at home crying to myself when I felt the vibrations of a knock on my door. I wiped my tears away in case it was Mikey and limped over to open it.

Frank smiled up at me, signing, "Hey, Gee."

I gasped and hugged him carefully yet tightly. Frank seemed to laugh and wrapped his arms around my waist. When I pulled back, he leaned up to kiss me weakly. I kissed back.

"I missed you so much..." I signed, whimpering.

"I missed you too," Frank signed, kissing my jaw. "I wasn't actually allowed out today, but I left anyway because I wanted to see you."

I gasped and motioned sternly, "go back!"

Frank smirked. "No. I have some news that I couldn't wait on to tell you."

"What is it?"

"We've done it," Frank signed, bouncing excitedly. "My Mom put in the money she got from my grandma's will that she's been saving for a good cause for years toward your operation. It gave the charity more than enough money. We've raised enough for your operation!"

My jaw dropped open in disbelief. We'd only just begun raising! Usually it took people years to get a few thousand!

I burst into happy tears. Frank kissed me as passionately as he could. I kissed back, resting my hands on his face. He pulled away after a few seconds.

"Frankie," I signed, struggling to form a sentence. He rested his hands on mine to stop me and smiled wide.

"I know. I'm so so happy for you, Gee." Frank's eyes shone. "Soon, when you can hear me, I'll tell you my secret."

"Deal?" I offered my hand.

"Deal," Frank bounced, shaking my hand firmly.

-----

Christmas time was close. I was out shopping with my brother as we attempted to find the perfect gifts for our boyfriends. A pair of drumsticks signed by the Misfits had caught Mikey's eye immediately, and he bought them straight away, despite them being costly.

I entered the newly opened Hot Topic and looked around. It was my favourite shop, and Frank and I had the same tastes, so I figured he'd like a lot of things in there.

I knew he had a guitar that he'd been wanting to get lessons for. He also liked to wear fingerless gloves, and had once commented that he wanted new ones. I found a customisable guitar strap and a pair of fingerless skeleton gloves. I got "Frankie xo" printed on the guitar strap and paid for both of the things with a smirk on my face. They were perfect.

I also knew that The Misfits were touring next year, and I wanted to go. When I got home, I ordered two tickets for both me and Frank. I hoped he would be happy.

I quickly came to realise that spending time with Frank had made the year go faster. It seemed like yesterday that it was the October half term, and Frank's birthday. It felt great to be enjoying every day.

Christmas day arrived soon enough. My Mom bought me a guitar for when I had my hearing back. I was ecstatic. I couldn't wait to learn with Frank.

Mikey got a new bass. Bob bought him tickets to the same Misfits gig as me and Frank, and tickets to a Black Flag gig. He wouldn't stop squealing. Bob also bought him a new black beanie. Another one for him to become inseperable with.

Frank arrived in a scarf and his old fingerless gloved, his nose red. I giggled and pulled him inside to get him out of the snowstorm raging on outside. He shivered and nuzzled against me. I made him a coffee and sat him down next to the fire. He downed the coffee quickly, desperate for some warmth. I smiled shyly and handed him his presents.

Frank opened the guitar strap first. He gasped and hugged it to his chest for a moment before putting it round his neck and signing, "it's wonderful." he then opened the gloves and squealed, taking his old ones off and putting them on. After that, he eagerly opened the concert tickets and almost screamed.

"Gee!" Frank signed, shaking as he held them between his gloved fingers. "Thank you so much!" he pounced on me and grabbed me into a tight hug. I kissed him and he smiled, blushing. He then handed me my presents.

Frank had bought me the new easel, paintbrushes, pencils, and paint that I'd had my eye on for a long time. He also got me a shirt saying "Thank You For the Venom". I loved it. The last present was a ring. He slipped it on my finger and signed, "it's a promise ring. I promise that even when you can hear and you don't need me to translate for you anymore, I'll still be here, and I'll always love you."

I teared up and kissed him passionately. "I love you," I signed after pulling away, breathless.

"I love you too." Frank then stood up and faced us all. "The Belleville Deaf Foundation contacted me yesterday morning," he signed. "Gerard's operation will be on January 6th."

Mikey ran over and tackled me into a hug. Bob and Ray beamed over at me and my Mom put her thumb up, tears in her eyes. I smiled and embraced my brother, then pulled Frank into a hug.

Before, I was excited. Every day, everyone put a lot of emphasis on raising money and about how I was finally going to hear.

But this time, it was secured. Twelve days. The countdown had begun.